Rumanian Air Force: The Prime Decade 1938-1947 [Squadron Signal 6080]

Squadron/Signal Publications Description:

Traces aircraft and operations of the Balkan's largest Air Force from 1938 to 1947. Covers fighters, bombers, transports, seaplanes, trainers & liaison aircraft. 150 B&W photos, 40 color paintings.

From the Author's Foreword

"My research for this book began in 1983 while I was a freshman at the Technical University of Brasov. The city of Brasov was the core of the wartime Rumanian aviation industry. I met several retired airmen in Brasov who were veterans of Rumania's World War Two campaigns against both the Soviet Union and the Axis Powers. Some of these veterans reluctantly shared their wartime memories with me, altough mentioning the officially denied anti-Soviet war was considered imprudent under the Communist regime. I realized that their stories must be preserved for posterity.
I am now able, after collecting the facts nnd photographs over 15 years, to assemble the story of the Rumanian Air Force in World War Two. Their story is a colorful and interesting one, filled with highlights and drama, as well as successes and failures. This unique story includes frequent historical and political turning points as well as the large variety of foreign and indigenous aircraft types operated by Rumania.
This book is a premiere, as it is the first comprehensive work published in English on the Rumanian Air Force. My task in compiling this book was difficult due to the scarcity of hard information combined with the occasional lack of co-operation by Rumanian historians. Some airmen and local historians refused to assist me, which considerably hindered my work.
Given the sensitivity of the recent history of Eastern Europe and the Balkans, I attempted to write this book in an impartial manner. I made every effort to discard stereotypes and look beyond the cliches perpetuated by all off the World War Two participants."